punarnava :

Substitute:

The root can be used as an ipecacuanha (Carapichea ipecacuanha) substitute

Adultrants:

Trianthema portulacastrum L as an adulterant of B. diffusa for ayurvedic preparations,

Controversy:

Two views have been taken on the application of the name Boerhavia diffusa: a broad view regards several Boerhavia taxa (including Boerhavia repens L., and Boerhavia coccinea Mill.) as a single very variable species, whilst another concept restricts Boerhavia diffusa to the taxon with an apparently terminal panicle and accepts the validity of taxa such as Boerhavia repens and Boerhavia coccinea. This last view is followed here, but this implies that some of the literature in which the name Boerhavia diffusa is used may refer to other species

Commercial value:

B. diffusa is widely used as a green leafy vegetable in many Asian and African countries. B. diffusa can be used as a fodder for livestock, but has the potential for contaminating seed stocks, and may harbor pathogens for certain crops, such as eggplants

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